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James

James, the brother of Jesus, was a leader in the Jerusalem church and authored the epistle of James.
MaleTribe of JudahNew Testament eraNew Testament7 books39 verses

Summary

A man from the tribe of Judah living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Matthew 13:55; only referred to as James (Ἰάκωβος); son of Joseph and Mary; a brother of Jesus, Joses, Simon and Jude.

Profile

James was one of the brothers of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Galatians 1:19; compare Jude 1:1). He became the leader of the church in Jerusalem soon after Jesus rose from the dead. According to tradition, this James is the author of the New Testament book of James.

The brothers of Jesus were initially doubtful of his claims (John 7:2–5). But they later became believers (Acts 1:14). James's personal encounter with the risen Jesus might have convinced him (1 Corinthians 15:7). Two of the brothers of Jesus, James and Jude, had important roles in the early Christian community.

James quickly became the leader of the church in Jerusalem. At the council in Jerusalem, James helped Jewish church leaders accept Gentile (non-Jewish) believers without requiring circumcision. This decision was essential for Paul and the early mission to Gentiles (Acts 15:13–21). Paul visited James in Jerusalem after his third missionary trip, just as he had done earlier after his conversion (Acts 21:18; Galatians 1:19).

Like most Jewish Christians, James followed the law of Moses. He stressed the importance of observing certain key laws when among Jews (Acts 15:20–21; 21:18–25). James recognized Paul's mission and focus on salvation through faith alone (Galatians 2:6–9), but many Jewish Christians did not agree. These Jewish believers, whom Paul associated with James once (see Galatians 2:12), insisted that Gentiles who became Christians must be circumcised and follow the law of Moses to join the Christian community.

James's Jewish background is evident in his letter, which offers wise, practical advice for living. Much of it aligns with traditional Jewish Scripture wisdom. One paragraph of his letter (James 5:1–6) resembles the work of Old Testament prophets (for example, compare Amos 5:21–24; 6:1–7).

James, known as "the Just" by people of his time, was killed for his faith by Jewish priests in Jerusalem (Josephus, Antiquities 20.9; Eusebius, Church History 2.23.4–18).

Passages for Further Study

Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3; Acts 12:17; Acts 15:13–21; Acts 21:18–25; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 2:9, Galatians 2:12; James 1:1–5:20; Jude 1:1

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

James (Person)

Family members

Father

Joseph

Mother

Mary

Siblings

Jesus Joses Jude Simon

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 28 verses that refer to James without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Matthew 13:55
    “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and aren’t His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
  2. Mark 6:3
    Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us as well?” And they took offense at Him.
  3. Acts 12:17
    Peter motioned with his hand for silence, and he described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. “Send word to James and to the brothers,” he said, and he left for another place.
  4. Acts 15:13
    When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!
  5. Acts 15:19Referred to, not named
    It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
  6. Acts 15:20Referred to, not named
    Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
  7. Acts 21:18
    The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
  8. Acts 21:19Referred to, not named
    Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
  9. Acts 21:20Referred to, not named
    When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.
  10. Acts 21:23Referred to, not named
    Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow.
  11. Acts 21:25Referred to, not named
    As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”
  12. 1 Corinthians 15:7
    Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
  13. Galatians 1:19
    But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.
  14. Galatians 2:7Referred to, not named
    On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
  15. Galatians 2:9
    And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
  16. Galatians 2:12
    For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself, for fear of those in the circumcision group.
  17. James 1:1
    James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes of the Dispersion: Greetings.
  18. James 1:2Referred to, not named
    Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
  19. James 1:16Referred to, not named
    Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
  20. James 1:18Referred to, not named
    He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
  21. James 1:19Referred to, not named
    My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
  22. James 2:1Referred to, not named
    My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism.
  23. James 2:5Referred to, not named
    Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him?
  24. James 2:14Referred to, not named
    What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
  25. James 2:18Referred to, not named
    But someone will say, “You have faith and I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.
  26. James 2:21Referred to, not named
    Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
  27. James 3:1Referred to, not named
    Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
  28. James 3:2Referred to, not named
    We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
  29. James 3:3Referred to, not named
    When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal.
  30. James 3:6Referred to, not named
    The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
  31. James 3:9Referred to, not named
    With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
  32. James 3:10Referred to, not named
    Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
  33. James 3:12Referred to, not named
    My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
  34. James 4:5Referred to, not named
    Or do you think the Scripture says without reason that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy?
  35. James 5:11Referred to, not named
    See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
  36. James 5:12Referred to, not named
    Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.
  37. James 5:17Referred to, not named
    Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
  38. James 5:19Referred to, not named
    My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
  39. Jude 1:1
    Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who are called, loved by God the Father, and kept in Jesus Christ: